Dynamic Plastics Market Presents Challenges and Opportunities for Coatings Formulators and Their Suppliers

By Cynthia Challener

plastics are ubiquitous. from the time we rise in the morning until we turn off the lights at night, we come in contact with plastics. The floors we walk on, the bottles that hold our shampoo and lotion, the cars we drive, our office equip­ment, our cell phones, our refrigerators and ovens, and many more items we use every day are made of plastics. Much of these plastics are coated in order to provide a protective barrier, particular functionality, or specialized appearance to the plastic surface.

Coatings formulators can not help but be attracted to this large and growing market. As with most applications, obstacles must be overcome be­fore opportunities can be realized.

The automotive market is the largest consumer of coatings for plastics, with applications for both interior and exterior parts accounting for just un­der 50% of total sales, according to The ChemQuest Group, Inc. Resilient flooring is the second largest end user of coated plastics and accounts for about 20% of sales.

Other applications include stamping foils, plastic signs and sheeting, office equipment, sporting goods, consumer electronics and appliances, and eyewear.